A leaked video was discovered of Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, co-owner of Miss Universe, in a board meeting from last November, speaking earnestly about her opinion on the inclusion of trans women in the pageant. In a video given to Vox by Rodrigo Goytortua Ortega, former CEO of Miss Universe, Jakrajutatip said, “The trans women, the women with husbands, divorced women..
. This is a communication strategy, because, you understand..
. they can compete, but they cannot win. We just put the policy out there.
Social inclusion, as people would say.” Jakrajutatip, who is transgender, continued in the leaked conversation that “women from nontraditional backgrounds” “cannot win” Miss Universe. The Miss Universe organization had its first transgender contestant, Miss Spain Ángela Ponce, in 2018.
The 2023 line-up of contestants also saw the first appearance of married women, Miss Guatemala Michelle Cohn and Miss Camila Avella. Miss Nepal Jane Dipika Garrett was the first plus-size contestant to sashay across the stage during the 72nd Miss Universe competition. The beauty pageant also lifted its age limit, prompting hope for individuals like Alejandra Rodriguez, a journalist and attorney who competed for Miss Argentina at the age of 60.
While the updated guidelines have garnered a mix of support and outrage, the change within the organization has instead resulted in a bevy of pageant winners resigning their titles. Miss USA 2023 , Noelia Voigt, released a statement citing a �.
